Laoshan Mountain

Laoshan Mountain is located on the shore of the Yellow sea. The highest peak of Laoshan Mountain is 1133 meters. Overlooking the sea, the mountain is characterized by the imposing canyon and undulating peaks and mystery mist. 

Laoshan Mountain is said to be home of the "supernatural Spirits". It is the highest mountain along China's 18,000-kilometer-long coastline, as well as the only mountain whose peak is over 1000 meters along China coastline. In the old book "Qi Ji"(a record about China between BC 478- BC 221), there is a record of "Tai mountain is not higher than Laoshan Mountain along Yellow sea".

The description is not for their real heights but focuses on their comparative grand impressions.. In Qin Dynasty(BC 221-BC 206), the first emperor Qinshihuang once came here to visit the so called supernatural beings.In Qin Dynasty(BC 221-BC 206), the first emperor Qinshihuang once came here to visit the so called supernatural beings.

In the Tang Dynasty(AD 618 – AD 907), the great emperor Lee Longji also traveled to find supernatural medicines for a eternal life.. Over history many other famous scholars visited Laoshan Mountain and wrote lines about the mountain. Another nickname of Laoshan Mountain is his reputation of "the place of the second largest Quanzhen Group of Taoism" in history.

In its prosperous time, there were 9 great palaces, 8 great temples, and 72 nunneries. The Taoists from Laoshan Mountain is always very famous for their knowledge or their legendary skills and stories. For the real famous figures of the Taoists in history, there were Mr. Qiu Changchun and Mr. Zhang Sanfeng .

The former one was a notable legendary VIP in Yuan Dynasty (AD 1206– AD 1368). For the latter one was said the creator of Taichi.Many of the Taoism temples and nunneries in Laoshan Mountain have been destroyed or ruined during the past years for various reasons.. The present preserved Taiqing Palace Taoism Temple is the largest and  oldest one, built  at the beginning of North Song Dynasty(AD 960-AD 1127).

Another name for the temple is Xiaqing Palace Taoism Temple . In Taoism there are three levels; that's "Yu Qing, Shan Qing and Tai Qing". Tai Qing". means a heaven of supernatural beings and is a super one . All the buildings of Taiqing Palace Tao Temple are made up of "Sangong Palace, Sanhaung Palace and Sanqing Palace".

However, the whole style is very simple and clear. To be exact, the series buildings of Sangong Palace are including double three yards forwards and backwards. There are two very old cypresses in Sanhuang Palace, which were planted in the Han Dynasty(BC 206-AD220 ). Another old rare camellia in front of the Sanhuang Palace has been lived over 700 years.

The tree is  8.5 meters high and width of the trunk is 1.78 meters,.. In winter, around the  Taiqing Palace TaoTemple, the trees are green too and different flowers are blooming too. There was once a white peony, whose height almost approaches the eaves of the Palace. .

There are many scenic spots around the Taiqing Palace Taoism Temple, such as the Shewnshui Spring, Longtou Yu, Stone Inscription and so on . There are possibilities to catch the sight of "flyaway mirage"..

There are odd stones and cliffs and odd caves in Laoshan Mountain covered by clear springs and waterfalls. The roads are curved and uneven.

The famous ghost story teller Mr. Pu songling in Qing Dynasty(AD1644-AD 1911) based the background of his legends on this mountain for those supernatural spirits' activities.

The springs and water are also very notable in Laoshan Mountain  On a tip to the main peak, there is a spring named "Tianyi Spring". It is notable much. Other springs ,like "Shenshui Spring" of Taiqing Palace Tao Temple and "Shenshui Spring" of Shang Qing Palace Tao Temple. And Laoshan mineral water is a specialty of Laoshan Mountain. It is said the mineral water can be used to cure diseases. 

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